Luke 21:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,

NIV: There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.

NASB: There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,

CSB: "Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the waves.

NLT: And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides.

KJV: And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

NKJV: “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;

Jesus has mentioned that the temple is going to be destroyed. The disciples asked what signs will precede that event (Luke 21:6–7). In response, Jesus begins with a synopsis of disasters that will occur between the temple's destruction and His second coming: false messiahs will deceive people, war will break out across the world, and natural and supernatural disasters will afflict humanity (Luke 21:8–11). Jesus then describes in greater detail three things to look for: His followers will be persecuted (Luke 12:12–19), Jerusalem will be destroyed (Luke 21:20–24), and He will return to judge the world and save His followers (Luke 21:25–28).

This third section includes a short list of what will take place during the tribulation, especially the end. Jesus' words strongly reflect Old Testament warnings (Isaiah 13:9–10; Ezekiel 32:7–8; Joel 2:10; 3:15).

John will later describe these events. The sun will be darkened and the moon will look like blood (Revelation 6:12–13). A third of the light of the sun, moon, and stars will go out (Revelation 8:12). The sun will burn with intense heat (Revelation 16:8–9) then turn to complete darkness (Revelation 16:10–11). A burning mountain will turn a third of the sea into blood (Revelation 8:8). Everything in the sea will die (Revelation 16:3).

The people living in those days will be in such distress they will beg the mountains to fall on them, to hide them from Jesus' wrath (Revelation 6:15–17). For those who refuse to repent, it will mean the end (Revelation 19:11–21), but for Jesus' followers, it will be their redemption (Luke 21:28).

Luke 21:25–28 records the last section of Jesus' prophecy about the challenges the Jews and His followers will face. After war, natural disasters, persecution, the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, and the times of the Gentiles, the Son of Man will appear and judge the world. It is at this moment that Jesus-followers can be confident that Jesus' time has come. In anticipation, Jesus admonishes His followers to stay sober and alert, to make the most of the time before He returns (Luke 21:29–36). This warning is also in Matthew 24:29–31 and Mark 13:24–27 but it originates in Daniel 7:13–14.

Luke 21 records the last of Jesus' teachings before the Last Supper, His arrest, and His crucifixion. Luke 21:1–4 fits well with the themes of Luke 19:28—20:47. Luke 21:5–11 describes how false messiahs, war, and natural disasters will become normal. Luke 21:12–24 prophesies challenges prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Luke 21:25–28 moves to the tribulation. Luke 21:29–36 is Jesus' instructions about the disciples' lives and ministries with respect to the delayed kingdom. Luke 21:37–38 is a note about Jesus' schedule in the days between the triumphal entry and His arrest.

Luke 21 finishes the presentation of Jesus in Jerusalem as the Messiah of the Jews. This lays a foundation for the Passion Narrative: the final days before Jesus is crucified. Luke 19:28—20:47 covered most of the discussions about His authority which are completed with His words about the widow's sacrificial offering (Luke 21:1–4). The rest of the chapter records His warnings to the disciples about the violence they, the temple, Jerusalem, and the world will face between His ascension and His return. Matthew 24 and Mark 12:41—13:37 cover the same material.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.